OUR DISCOVERY OFFER

To show you that flying is not just an idea up in the air, the Loudun Aero-club proposes a "discovery session" at an affordable price with JODEL D112:

• Pre-flight briefing
• Introductory flight         WITH A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
• Debriefing

ALL FOR 70 EUROS

TO BECOME A PILOT

When you arrive at the Loudun Aero-club, Veniers, at the "Pé de Jojo" (the foot of Jupiter), you have never been closer to achieving your dream: flying.

Whatever your motives, be it the fulfillment of a childhood's dream for adults or the urge to make a career in aviation for youngsters, the Aero-club of Loudun is there to guide you and instruct you step by step and at your own pace.

What you might consider as an inaccessible dream can become reality.

Our aero-club boasts the following assets:

-           Calm and green environment, exceptionally suited for combining relaxing and flying (photo)

-           Wide grass airstrip 820m long, which is more "forgiving" to the student pilot than a tarmac runway (photo)

-           Low air traffic, which cuts waiting times almost to nothing: what you pay is what you fly

-           Proximity of other airfields with tarmac runways where you can get used to a more intense traffic.

-           Fleet of 4 "Robin" airplanes, from the small low-cost 65HP 2-seater for beginners and pilots who want to gain experience with conventional landing gear, to a powerful 180HP 4-seater for long range travel, plus two intermediate size planes (120HP and 160HP) (photo)

-           Pleasant and functional classroom. (photo).

-           Two self-service computers for preparing your flights (weather forecast, etc.) and managing your flying account (photo)

-           Hourly rates cut down to the minimum thanks to:

            1          rates adjusted according to the price of gas

            2          presence of an approved maintenance unit (on-site workshop facilities for the maintenance of the planes). Maintenance is done by the club mechanics, also approved and experienced, on a voluntary basis.

            3          our dedicated instructors who work also on a voluntary basis

-           And last but not least, the warm atmosphere of the club (photo)

PILOT TRAINING

This is how it is achieved:

(You will find all the official information on the website of the FFA (French Aeronautical Federation)

FIRST OF ALL – GET A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE (This requires a visit to a doctor registered with the FFA – we can give you a list of approved doctors. There are enough such doctors to find one near where you live.)

THE FLYING LESSON

-           Briefing before departure: Review of the day's training session – 20 minutes

-           Pre-flight visit: Preparation and checking the plane before the flight – 15 minutes

-           The flight:  With your instructor in a dual control plane – About 40 minutes

-           Debriefing: Review of your performance during the flight – 15 minutes

FIRST SOLO FLIGHT

This is a major event in the life of a pilot. It will be your first flight without an instructor but before you can be trusted to fly alone, you'll need a minimum of 15 hours training.

BASIC LICENSE (BB) AND PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENSE (PPL)

Both qualifications require a test on the theory of flying that you'll prepare during your formation with the instructor's help. Documentation is provided by the club. This test is within everyone's reach.

THE BASIC LICENSE (BB)

Rights granted to the BB holder

Once you get your Basic License, you'll have the right to fly solo around your airfield (in a 30km radius from the field). With a bit more experience and the instructor's authorization, you'll be able to undertake short journeys or flights with passengers.

A priori condition for getting a BB

You must be over 15 years old on the day of the examination.

Conditions to obtaining a BB

According to regulation, the pilot must have at least 6 flight hours dual control, 4 flight hours solo and 20 landings, but in practice, you'll need about 20 flight hours (see above "First solo flight")

You must also pass a flight test.

THE PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENSE

Rights granted to the PPL holder

With a PPL, you'll have the right to travel with no limitation of distance and carry passengers as long as you are not paid for it.

A priori condition for getting a PPL

You must be over 17 years old on the day of the test.

Conditions to obtaining a PPL

According to regulation, the candidate to a PPL test must have a minimum of 45 flight hours, including:

At least 25 hours with an instructor and at least 10 hours solo, supervised by your instructor from the ground, including 5 hours solo away from the airfield of departure

At least 1 solo flight of a minimal distance of 150 nautical miles (280 km), including 2 complete landings.

In practice, it will take about 60 hours of flying before a pilot feels comfortable and at ease in this new environment.

FINANCIAL HELP FOR YOUNG PILOTS

Financial help exists in every French aero-club for everyone under 21 years of age. Grants are given by the State via the FFA according to the following schema:

-           When you make your first solo flight:                 335€

-           When you get your Basic Qualification (BB):     335€

-           When you get your Private Pilot's License (PPL):          670€

In addition, junior high and high school (collège and lycée) students at least 13 years old who pass a test in partnership with Education Nationale and earn a BIA (Brevet d'Initiation Aéronautique) get 1 free hour plus an extra 150€ grant when they get their BB.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at 05 49 50 41 90 or 09 72 95 36 06. We would be delighted to welcome you, show you our installations and answer all your questions.